Following an arsenic spill in Tsana, Georgia, a team of experts led by UNEP and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, visited the country from 2 to 6 May, in the framework of the Environment and Security Initiative project "Addressing Emergency Environment and Security Threats at the Arsenic Mining Site in Tsana, Georgia". International and national experts assessed the situation at three locations in the Tsana area, where arsenic containing mining waste is stored.

The mining factory ceased its operation in the beginning of 1990s leaving mercury containing waste stored at three sites in Tsana (Tsana 1-3). Due to poor management, over 50,000 tons of arsenic containing waste resulting from former Soviet times production of arsenic anhydride and metallic arsenic pose significant risks to the surrounding environment and communities.

The mission was in response to the appeal by Georgia’s Minister of Environment and Natural Resource Protection to OSCE and the ENVSEC Initiative following a flooding in September 2013 that increased the risk of leakage.

The expert team visited Georgia’s National Environmental Agency, which is undertaking the environmental monitoring, including analysis of soil and water samples, and held meetings with the local administration of Lentekhi. They also provided an initial briefing to the Minister, who pledged full support to the technical mission.

More Information: marika.palosaari@unep.org